The Dodo Archive

7 Happy Sheep Before And After Their Spring Haircuts

Darling sheep are getting fresh new looks for spring to go with their stunning personalities.

"Our sheep are so much more comfortable and frolic and jump when the wool is removed," national shelter director of Farm Sanctuary Susie Coston told The Dodo. "It's a wonderful sign that spring is in the air!"

Adriano

Had they not been rescued and brought to the New York location of Farm Sanctuary, these sheep would have likely been used relentlessly for their wool. Domestic sheep - like Adriano, Anne, Donna, Madeline, Pamela, Samantha and Will - are bred to produce far more wool than they need.

Anne

The wool gets full of hay seeds, sticks and dirt, which irritate the skin, Coston said. Sheep also overheat in the summer, and because of their excess wool, they're prone to complications like urine scald, a condition where the wool gets urine-soaked and burns the skin.

Will

Because the wool industry often doesn't treat these animals as the loving creatures they are, Farm Sanctuary doesn't promote the sale of wool - not even from sheep like Adriano - "Just like we would not sell eggs from our hens," Coston explained.

Samantha

"Unless something comes up, we will put the wool on our hill allowing wildlife to take it and use it for bedding," Coston said, adding that Farm Sanctuary often sees wild birds using the wool for nests.